CELEBRATING OUR ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Thursday, October 30 , 2014
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CAMPUS IDENTITY
‘U’ working to improve minority enrollment
ABIGAIL KIRN/Daily LSA freshman Darian Razder and LSA sophomore Anna Kreiner carry a mattress across the Diag Wednesday to raise awareness about sexual assault on college campuses as part of the Carry That Weight campaign in solidarity with Columbia University junior Emma Sulcowicz.
Students call for changes to sexual assault policies Demands posted on the Diag request improved training and awareness By EMMA KERR Daily Staff Reporter
Early Wednesday morning, a list of seven demands covered the block ‘M’ on the Diag, calling on
the administration to improve the University’s approach to sexual assault on campus. The protest falls on the national “Carry That Weight” day of action, which aimed to raise awareness of sexual assault and abusive relationships by asking participants to carry a standard dorm room mattress with them throughout the day. The demands were plastered in cut-and-paste style and surrounded by spray painted trigger
warnings and calls to expel rapists — protesting the University’s perceived complacency in handling sexual misconduct on campus and advocating for student voices to be heard. Beginning with a demand for further training and awareness, the list calls for a mandatory program that would educate new students on the meaning of consent, the specifics of the University’s sexual misconduct policies and information on gender-neutral
After Proposal 2, administration explores options to reach diversity goals By SHOHAM GEVA Daily Staff Reporter
language. Currently, the University provides resources for students through the Office of Student Conflict Resolution and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center. Existing programs like Relationship Remix, a workshop aimed toward educating first year students on relationships and sex, work to educate students about sexual assault and how to prevent it. See PROTEST, Page 3A
Minority enrollment at the University has shifted dramatically in the past decade, following two court cases over the University’s race-conscious admission policies and a successful statewide referendum that banned the consideration of race in a public higher education admissions decisions. This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, more commonly referred to as Proposal 2. The 2006 popular referendum banned the consideration of race, among other factors, in college admissions — rendering the final
ELECTION 2014
ANN ARBOR
Taylor’s work to DDA part of plans for development
In Senate race, Land struggles with narrative
Despite fundraising advantage, prospects grim for GOP candidate By SHOHAM GEVA Daily Staff Reporter
As the Nov. 4 election approaches, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land has become more difficult to define. She’s bringing in significant amounts of money — her campaign raised a total of $11 million in contributions as of the last quarter, more than her Democratic challenger — and she’s not short on airtime, running multiple ads in the lead-up to elections. This week, she concluded an expansive bus tour of the state, covering 3,181 miles over the course of three months. That strong showing in resources, however, is juxtaposed with some less-than-favorable numbers. By the most recent polls, Land trails her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters,
by an average of 11.4 points. And she’s only garnered one major media endorsement, from Crain’s Detroit Business. At the start of campaign season, Land’s chances of succeeding longtime U.S. Senator Carl Levin looked favorable — a former Secretary of State who ran two successful statewide campaigns for the position in 2002 and 2006, beating her opposition by more than 10 percentage points each time. In the Senate race, early polls had her doing well. The seat, the first open in Michigan in 20 years, was highlighted by Republicans in their effort to flip control of the U.S. Senate in their favor. “Terri’s got a great record,” said GOP consultant Stu Sandler, president of Decider Strategies. “If you look at her record as Secretary of State, she ran a statewide office for eight years and did so with extraordinary success, and it’s one of the reasons, if you look today that Crain’s endorsed her, it’s one of the reasons why.” But from the start, her campaign has been unable to escape See SENATE, Page 3A
word on affirmative action in the state of Michigan. The Supreme Court decision does not necessarily signal anything new for the University. Since the ban was passed in 2006, the institution has admitted students without an affirmative action policy in place. At least since the 1970s, and as recently as last year’s BBUM protests led by the Black Student Union, activists and student protesters have set a goal of having Blacks constitute 10 percent of the student population, a threshold that has never been reached. But now that the last glimmer of hope for a restoration of affirmative action has faded, it commits the University to a difficult situation — a time in which minority representation is at one of the lowest points and renewed protests are demanding it climb up to a goal higher than ever before. New strategies There are three steps to the See ENROLLMENT, Page 3A
Mayoral candidate aims to maintain downtown growth By JACK TURMAN Daily Staff Reporter ALLISON FARRAND/Daily Ron Weiser, Republican candiate for the University’s Board of Regents, discusses policy proposals in his office.
Regent candidate stresses strong political experience Ron Weiser tauts leadership locally and abroad By ALLANA AKHTAR Daily Staff Reporter
Though Ron Weiser has a large office on Main Street, he does his work on a small table in the corner of the room. Most of the office is adorned with University wrestling medals,
Slovakian artifacts, pictures with former U.S. presidents and senators and other memorabilia from his past. Weiser is one of the Republican candidates running for the Board of Regents, alongside Dr. Rob Steele. The two, in addition to Democratic candidates Mike Behm and Katherine White, will vie for two contested seats on Election Day. The seats are those of current regents White and Julia Darlow (D). Darlow is not seeking re-election.
Originally raised in St. Joseph, Mich., Weiser moved to Ann Arbor in 1962 to study accounting at the University. After graduating with honors, he did postgraduate work at the Law School and the Business School. Shortly after graduating, Weiser founded McKinley Associates, a real-estate venture that eventually grew to be valued at $4.6 billion. In 2001, former President See REGENT, Page 3A
City Councilmember Chris Taylor (D–Ward 3), the Democratic mayoral candidate, discussed taking a balanced approach to city issues if elected. However, Taylor has repeatedly highlighted the importance of downtown Ann Arbor in both the first postprimary debate Oct. 7 and in an interview with the Daily Oct. 16. Taylor said the downtown area needs to be a vibrant place where people can work and live comfortably, while still maintaining a focus on other issues. “It also has to have a character and finding that balance is going to be what we are trying to do here,” Taylor said. For downtown Ann Arbor to preserve this character, Taylor plans on working closely with the Downtown Development Authority. “I think the DDA has done great work for the downtown (area) and See DEVELOPMENT, Page 3A
the boo-side A look at students’ experiences with the paranormal
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2A — Thursday, October 30, 2014
MONDAY: This Week in History
TUESDAY: Professor Profiles
MIDTERM ZEN
WEDNESDAY: In Other Ivory Towers
Students plan Halloween costumes
RITA MORRIS/Daily
LSA junior Rachel Richmond leads members of Sigma Sigma Rho sorority in a yoga routine at the Michigan Union Wednesday evening.
Liz Brennen, LSA sophomore Some people have difficulty arriving on one costume idea. Not Brennen. She plans to wear three over the course of the weekend, one for each day of festivities. One day, she will go as Rosie the Rivet-
er. The next, she plans to be a cat. The last, she will dress as a pilot. “Mainly, the reasons I picked all of my costumes is because it’s based off of clothes I already have, so it’s really cheap, and I’m a college student, so affordability is a bonus,” she said. Although Brennen won’t explicitly be trick-or-treating, she said variation in costumes was an important factor for her weekend celebrations. “All three days I’m going to go out with the same group of friends, and it’s more fun to switch it up,” she said. India Peterson, LSA junior Last year, Peterson’s costume was aimed at community service
CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES
Euphonium and Penny Stamps Law workshop Allan Rosas, a lecture series WHAT: tuba concert judge in the European
THE FILTER
‘Fog of War’ BY BRIAN BURLAGE
WHAT: Ryoji Ikeda, a Japanese sound artist who combines sound, visuals, math and ‘datamatics,’ will perform as part of the Stamps lecture series. WHO: Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design WHEN: Today from 5:10 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. WHERE: Michigan Theater
Union’s Court of Justice, will discuss recent antiterrorism measures reviewed by the Court and their relationship with the basic constitutional rights of citizens in the EU. WHO: Center for International and Comparative Law WHEN: Today at 11:50 a.m. WHERE: 1020 South Hall
BY MICHAEL FLYNN
Antebellum America
Zombie nightmare
Book drive
A first performance at an open mic night can be a terrifying proposition. To enjoy success, it is good to go in with a plan. Five successful tips to follow are to know what you are performing, believe in it, show up, learn from mistakes, and enjoy yourself.
WHAT: History Prof. Mary C. Kelley will talk about the antislavery texts of African American women in during America’s Antebellum period. WHO: Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies WHEN: Today from 4 to 6 p.m. WHERE: 1014 Tisch Hall
WHAT: University Health Service will offer trick-ortreating students candy, prizes, crafts and $25 flu shots. WHO: University Health Service WHEN: Today from 6 to 8 p.m. WHERE: 207 Fletcher Street
‘Fog of War,’ an Academy-Award-winning documentary, is an amazing and haunting view into the mind of Robert S. McNamara, the longestserving Secretary of State in U.S. history.
THE FILTER
Open mic night
FRIDAY: Photos of the Week
THE PERFECT FIT
Halloween in college is an event to behold. Creatively titled parties abound, as do performances and events hosted by student organizations. But even before one attends any of these, for many, the costume is the pinnacle of the night. Some are driven by puns; others are inspired by aesthetic appearance. Regardless, costumes are important — here are some students’ plans for Halloween costumes.
ON THE WEB...
THURSDAY: Student Profiles
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
WHAT: The University’s Euphonium and Tuba Ensemble will perform a range of pieces, from seasonal music and jazz to songs originally featured in films. WHO: School of Music, Theatre & Dance WHEN: Today at 8 p.m. WHERE: Moore Building, Britton Recital Hall
WHAT: Ongoing through Friday, the drive is an effort to collect books for innercity community centers. WHO: Detroit Initiative Student Group WHEN: All day today WHERE: School of Social Work l Please report any error in the Daily to corrections@ michigandaily.com.
of sorts. She was a “condom fairy.” “I had a pink tutu, a crop top and a fairy condom wand. And then I taped condoms all over myself,” Peterson said. “And they were all gone by the end of the night. I definitely prevented teen pregnancy … or twenties pregnancy.” She said she came up with the costume in an attempt to engage in sexual education with her peers by encouraging people to use condoms. This topic was nothing new for her, as she is on the board of the Body Peace Corps, an organization that promotes positive body image. — MICHAEL SUGERMAN
Read more of these Halloween plans at MichiganDaily.com
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW TODAY
1
A river of lava slowly crawling toward a residential area in Hawaii may claim dozens of homes within the next day. The lava, with a temperature of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, travels at about 30 feet per hour.
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This Halloween, Luther House will host its annual Halloween Party, which will feature a wide selection of local bands and live performances. >> FOR MORE, SEE B-SIDE, 1B
3
More than 2,400 Chinese students were caught using high-tech gear to cheat on national exams. Radio signals would transmit codes to ear pieces or “electronic erasers” on students’ desks.
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Experts weigh in on Tobacco whistleblower ISIS threat, ideology talks cigarette policies Diverse panel provides context to evolving conflict
ISIS, short for the Islamic Joo said. By CARLY NOAH State in Iraq and Syria, is a To address the many facFor the Daily Sunni Muslim extremist group ets of ISIS, the event featured that has drawn increasing inter- four panelists, each focusing Jerry Wigand, the former vice national attention in the last few on a different aspect of the president for research and develmonths. In June of this year, the issue: History Prof. Juan Cole, opment of Brown & Williamson By GENEVIEVE HUMMER group seized control of terri- Political Science Prof. Mark Tobacco Corporation, caused Daily Staff Reporter tory in northeastern Syria and Tessler, Political Science Prof. significant public outrage when western Iraq, including Iraq’s James Morrow, and Mohamhe exposed the company’s intenDespite a summer of increas- second-largest city, Mosul. In mad Khalil, associate professor tional attempt to increase the ing fear concerning the spread the same month, ISIS declared of religious studies at Michigan carcinogenic and addictive comof the terror group ISIS in the the creation of a caliphate in the State University. ponents in its cigarettes. Since Middle East, some University conquered regions of Iraq and In Cole’s talk, he said the then, he’s traveled the world just professors argue the global Syria and named Abu Bakr al- Iraqi transition from a socialist to talk about it. threat might be relatively mini- Baghdadi as caliph. to a neo-liberal government folWigand spoke at the School of mal in the long term. The media’s growing fascina- lowing the U.S. invasion of Iraq Public Health Wednesday afterThe International Policy tion with the extremist group is in 2003 prompted Sunni disnoon to a crowd of about 100 Center and the Center for Mid- one factor that prompted Social content. The new government people, discussing the potential dle Eastern and North African Work student Angela Joo to placed the Shiite elite in power public health impact and controStudies co-sponsored Wednes- attend the event. and marginalized Sunnis, he versy surrounding e-cigarettes, day’s event at the Ford School of “ISIS has been covered in the added. the science behind Public Policy, “Understanding media a lot so I was interested in “These were the capable tobacco engineerISIS: Evolution, ideology, and learning more about it as a citi- people in Iraq, they were the ing that promotes implications,” which discussed zen, and I just wanted to know equivalent of West Point graduaddiction and the Sudoku theSyndication origins, ideology, popular what the issues were and how http://sudokusyndication.com/sudoku/generator/print/ ates and Harvard Law and high current state of the support for and international the federal government planned politicians and the people who tobacco industry in impact of ISIS. on taking care of the problem,” managed things,” Cole said. the United States. “And they were all told you’re Wigand lost his now unemployed, if you behave job at Brown & yourself you might be able to Williamson and get a job as a shoe-shiner to the received numerHARD Shiites, and so they went into ous death threats rebellion.” after disclosing the Tessler presented findings company’s secrets. from surveys he and a team conAfter his dismissducted in Iraq in 2004, 2006, al, he assisted the 2011 and 2013, the results of U.S. Federal Drug which were consistent with Association with their investimany of Cole’s assertions. Tesgation of Brown & Williamson. sler and his team also noted He became nationally known as growing Sunni discontent dura tobacco whistleblower after ing the U.S. occupation of Iraq. revealing that the company had One important shift that altered the tobacco content in its the surveys reflected was a cigarettes on the CBS news proshift from Iraqi national idengram “60 Minutes.” This exposé tity among citizens in the early inspired the 1999 movie, “The years of the U.S. occupation, to Insider.” more sectarian identities among In 1995, Wigand reached Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds in international prominence when 2011 and 2013. The surveys he became the tobacco industry’s also indicated that, with time, highest-ranking former execuSunni interest in an intersection tive to address public health and between Islam and political life smoking issues. Under incredible increased substantially. pressure himself, with even his wife and family members also © sudokusolver.com. For personal use only. BEETHOVENS SONATA 29. puzzle by sudokusyndication.com receiving threats of violence, he Read the rest of this article informed the public about the online at MichiganDaily.com industry’s poor health and safety
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practices. When discussing his decision to go public with Brown & Williamson’s fraudulent practices Wednesday, Wigand stressed the importance of reacting ethically. “It’s a gradual evolution to understand what moral obligations one has with the knowledge they have and to avoid that culpability by being a bystander,” he said. “A bystander is someone who watches on and does nothing about it. I had to do something about it.” Wigand recounted how after he went public, Brown & Williamson filed a lawsuit against him because of his public disclosures about the industry’s effort
the whistle again, Wigand said his involvement in the process was simply planting the seed of change and that he was generally proud of his actions. “Never did I expect that there would be success or the belief that it would really make a difference,” he said. “The media, my students, my family, law enforcement, justice department — they all made it happen. I was just this substantial catalyst.” The event drew a wide variety of attendees, ranging from current students to international tobacco experts. Pharmacy student Brad Vincent was inspired to attend the lecture after he watched “The Insider.” “I’m in the health and tobacco class and we watched the movie ‘The Insider’ last week and it was a great movie, we learned a lot about tobacco and the whole process. I was born in the early ‘90s so I never got to know what happened,” Pittson said. LSA senior Emily Long said she found the lecture particularly relevant to her field of study. “I am actually writing a senior thesis on electronic cigarettes so I thought this would be a really interesting piece to come here and learn about someone who has a lot more expertise than I have,” Long said. Jose Monzon, a tobacco researcher from Guatemala, found the lecture to be helpful from an international perspective. “He’s a big figure in the tobacco world. I’m interested to learn about the current trends in how tobacco control is affecting populations nowadays and particularly how to reduce tobacco use in low and middle income countries, such as Guatemala.”
“It’s a gradual evolution to understand what moral obligations one has with the knowledge they have to avoid that culpability by being a bystander” to diminish the health and safety issues with tobacco use. The lawsuit was dismissed as a condition in the historic 1996 settlement agreement between the U.S. Attorney General and the tobacco industry. Currently, Wigand spends his time in lectures around the world advocating for employees of morally corrupt companies to not stand by idly. He is still active in ligations in the tobacco industry and is works as consultant on tobacco. He also leads a non-profit organization for kids, Smoke-Free Kids Inc., with which he concentrates his energy educating kids about the tobacco industry. When asked if he would blow
News
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SENATE From Page 1A concerns of poor management, some coming from within her own party. She’s faced criticisms both about her policies, which have been seen as out-oftouch with the state, and about her interactions with the public and the media, which have been characterized as limited and awkward. Earlier this month, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a major group working to fund the GOP push for the Senate, pulled funding for advertisements for Land, concentrating instead on races in other states. Both the Land campaign and the NRSC said at the time that the funding was pulled because Land had resources from other groups. Neither responded to requests for comment about potential reinvestment in the race by the NRSC. Sandler said it seems like a narrative has been constructed around Land, one he said hasn’t done her justice. “I think the criticism has been unfair,” he said. “Terri has done a variety of public appearances, she’s done a variety of media appearances. For some reason, a narrative started about her being less willing to be in public, which I think is a false narrative. I think it’s unfair, because I think she’s been out quite a bit.” This narrative can also be defined by Land’s policy decisions, Political Science Prof. Vincent Hutchings said. He pointed to issues that have been prominent in political messaging during the campaign such as pay equity, climate change and affili-
DDA From Page 1A I look forward continuing with it,” Taylor said. DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay said she looks forward to building downtown and ensuring the high quality of life that is associated with downtown Ann Arbor. “As we have with the previous mayors, the DDA will strive to find projects and initiatives that serve its mission, which is to strengthen downtown and encourage private investment that also serve the city administrator, mayor and city council goals,” Pollay said in an e-mail interview. “We all are working toward community prosperity and quality of life.” Taylor said the DDA is currently working on long term transportation issues, one of
PROTEST From Page 1A University spokesperson Rick Fitzgerald said the University offers a variety of effective programs and that it is continually looking for ways to improve how it responds to and prevents sexual assault. “There are lots of programs, and in fact, the University of Michigan is often looked to as a leader in this area among other higher institutions,” Fitzgerald said. “I think the most effective thing we can do is to engage the students who are passionate about this topic, to engage in conversation and work through these issues.” The anonymous list of demands presented on the Diag and published in The Michigan Daily may be in conjunction with the Carry That Weight day of action. Women carrying mattresses walked through campus, stopping in the Diag in front of the list of demands to display their mattresses, marked with the Twitter hashtag #carrythatweight. Other college campuses, including Stanford University and Harvard University, participated in similar protests and calls to action. LSA junior Fabiana Diaz said she hopes to use her own experiences through this event to offer support to other survivors. “I’m a survivor of sexual assault, so this is very personal for me,” Diaz said. “This is a day to show solidarity and be symbolic of the weight that all women carry as a result of sexual assault. As a woman, even if you aren’t directly involved in sexual assault, you still carry that burden. Our goal really is to get even one person to just Google it.”
ation with the Koch brothers — a pair of Republican billionaires tied to the more hardline side of the party — as having the most impact on how Land is viewed. Though Land has fired back on those messages in several ways, namely emphasizing her campaign message that she’s a mom, and moms “get things done,” Hutchings said the narrative is prominent because there’s some truth to many of the issues presented. “I haven’t seen any accusations that appear to be wholly offbase,” he said. “Now, there’s a lot more going on as well of course — Land has a whole range of different characteristics. She can’t be reduced to those in particular. But the point is that they’re qualities that are associated with that candidate.” The Land campaign did not return requests for comment. This has been the most expensive Senate race in Michigan’s history — more than $50 million has been spent on either Land or Peters’ behalf thus far, most coming from contributors outside of the state. Over the past few election cycles in Michigan, Democrats have typically been more successful for federal positions, making winning roles like U.S. Senator an uphill battle for Republicans. Ultimately, Hutchings said, instead of an external factor that’s causing Land to perform poorly, the negativity that’s followed Land throughout the campaign may actually be a reflection of her poor showing in the polls. “I don’t think that the candidate is doing poorly because of a poor public image,” he said. “I think that the candidate has a poor public image because she is
his priorities, and is exploring other areas of concern. Though the DDA requests city assistance on downtown matters and has to receive city approval of development and financing plans, Taylor said he doesn’t want to overstep boundaries and exert too much influence on the DDA. “The DDA takes a pretty careful approach to the issues that it tackles,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to get in the way of that.” “It is a weak mayor administrative system,” he added. “The DDA is a separate entity, which has budget review from City Council, but makes its own decisions.” The free decision-making process has led to concerns, often raised by Councilman Stephen Kunselman (D–Ward 3), regarding the lack of transparency with the DDA.
The Carry That Weight event at the University is officially sponsored by the Feminist Forum, but student volunteers at SAPAC actively participated and organized volunteers for the event. “It’s not just SAPAC, but we did want to show our support for this event,” Gillies said. “It’s not just to raise awareness, but it’s to show support for survivors. There are a lot of survivors on campus and you can feel very alone, so this is our way of saying we support you.” An analysis done by the Washington Post in July found that the University ranks second in number of reported instances of sexual assault. Though the director of SAPAC interpreted this data as showing their sexual assault awareness programs to be effective in encouraging individuals to report misconduct instances, the anonymous group making these demands believes SAPAC and its resources are not enough. LSA freshman Kate Heinz, who noticed the installments while walking to class, said she knows sexual assault happens on campus, but that statistics of how often sexual assault occurs are still shocking. “Everyone knows it’s a big thing on college campuses but it’s hard to really see,” Heinz said. “You would never know that the University is second in the nation for reported assaults. It’s hard to gauge, so it’s just a matter of understanding the scope of it and bridging the gap between reports and actual happenings. It’s a matter of communication between the administration and students.” LSA junior Kathleen Abenes, a Resident Adviser, said existing initiatives are not sufficient for incoming students. “I know we have the AlcoholE-
Thursday, October 30, 2014 — 3A
by the Office of Budget and Planning, that figure stands at 5.8 percent. In this year’s freshman class alone, the number is significantly lower for Black enrollment — 3.84 percent. In contrast, roughly 19 percent of Michigan’s college-aged population is Black. During last year’s BBUM protest, students cited a host of ways low minority enrollment impacted their experiences at the University, including facing harmful stereotypes and repeated instances of microaggressions. The protest went viral on Twitter, resonating with students in schools across the country. LSA senior Arnold Reed, BSU president, said the low numbers aren’t always visible from a distance, but their impact becomes evident once students arrive on campus. “Coming for a huge football game, you’re going to see a huge diverse crowd of people,” he said. “It really actually kind of hit me when I was here, how big of an issue it was.” At the University, the first efforts after Proposal 2 passed in 2006 were centered largely around outreach and recruitment, focusing on building pipelines from underserved communities to the University, following the recommendations of a 2007 Diversity Blueprints committee. When it comes to measuring the long-term outcomes of these programs, there are anecdotal stories of success but not much concrete data as of yet. “It’s a complicated issue, and an easy, direct yes or no type of answer is probably not appropriate,” he said. “We have lots of recruitment efforts underway — our admissions staff does an excellent job in getting out to high schools, summer programs, we do reach students in high schools,
try to cultivate interest in going to college and so forth. At the same time, what we know is that many first generation, low income students, or underrepresented minority students, who perform well in high school apply to no college whatsoever.”
Beyond the numbers Since the release of the latest enrollment data, the University’s Black enrollment still currently hovers around 5 percent, capping
off a decade-plus long slide in percentage. However, many of the University’s initiatives are long term with impacts that won’t be visible for multiple year, Sellers, Ishop and Collins all pointed out, especially those launched during the last school year and even those started back in 2006-2008. Whether they’ll be able to fix the problem eventually is unclear, especially when it comes to the BSU’s goal of 10 percent — a mandate that technically, under Proposal 2, the University is unable to directly aim for, because it constitutes a quota. “Could it happen? Yes, it could,” Collins said of achieving 10 percent. “But I think that means working closely with some school districts. I think it may mean the admissions office giving a broader look at characteristics that students bring with them. I’m not saying they don’t do that now, but such things such as your leadership— we’re the leaders and best, so one could theoretically say that if you were president of your class, we could give you some extra consideration.” For now, though, the low numbers still matter, even if the University is working to change them. Reed said in talking to a potential student about attending the University, given his experience on campus, he would highlight two things — both that the numbers have a presence, but also that there’s a lot the University has to offer. “The statistics — you can’t really fight numbers,” Reed said. “It’s real. It’s a real thing, and you will feel it. I would definitely never sugarcoat that. I feel like that’s also part of what makes our experience unique. I would also tell that student that if you do choose to come here, there are a lot of things that the University does have at your disposal.”
George W. Bush appointed Weiser as Ambassador to the Slovak Republic for four years. During his time, he organized three international investment conferences for the country and coordinated American support for the restoration of the medieval Trencin Castle. His diplomatic service inspired him to create the Ronald and Eileen Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia and the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies at the University. The former ambassador has also been an active member of the Republican Party, serving as the Chair of the Michigan Republican Party in 2009 and the National
Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee in 2011. Weiser intends to bring his wide array of skill sets to the Board on a platform of keeping tuition low and strengthening the University’s satellite campuses in Flint and Dearborn. “I’ve got political background, diplomatic background, business background, financial background — that is different and unique compared to the current regents we have,” he said. Weiser said the University’s current budgeting method does not incentivize savings and does not allow budgets from one area to be moved to other, more constrained areas. He plans to change the way the University budgets funds as a method for bringing down tuition. He also plans to provide prospective stu-
dents with a clear understanding of what their tuition will be over the entirety of their undergraduate career. In addition, Weiser said he understands the importance of the University’s satellite campuses for lower-income, part-time working students, as the cost of living in Flint and Dearborn is much less expensive than in Ann Arbor. He plans on developing classes and programs at the Flint and Dearborn campuses at the same educational standard as in Ann Arbor through increasing online learning and requesting Ann Arbor professors commute to the other campuses. “It’s not difficult — assuming there’s the demand for courses that are offered here that are not offered in those campuses — for
professors or whoever is teaching to put a section into those schools and give them the same opportunity,” he said. Weiser also said he recognizes the importance of a diverse student body to the overall educational atmosphere. Last school year, many students expressed discontent with the lack of diversity at the University, most notably through the Black Student Union’s viral #BBUM Twitter campaign that garnered national attention. Weiser said he plans to increase diversity in part by lowering tuition. “There’s all kinds of diversities that I think are important to give everybody the opportunity to have the broadest interaction and to have the best ability to work and live in the world that we have,” he said.
du program but why don’t we have something just as serious for sexual assault? I know that there is Relationship Remix and the Change it Up initiative going on, and I know that they swipe MCards, but as an RA there is no way for me to make sure they go,” she said. “There are no consequences for not going to these workshops.” The AlchoholEdu initiative, an online program that addresses the use of alcohol and other substances on campus and is required for all incoming students, discusses sexual assault in the context of a person’s ability to give consent and discusses the sexual assaults that occur while under the influence of alcohol. LSA senior Stephen Goldenthal said sexual assault isn’t just a result of alcohol consumption or attending Greek life events. “You hear of things on campus, I know people who have been sexually assaulted, so it just really changes your perspective,” Goldenthal said. “I think that the people committing sexual assault might not even see their actions as being sexual assault. And it doesn’t just occur at parties or when you are under the influence, it’s an entire cultural issue.” The second demand calls for all fraternity, sorority and cooperative houses to put up a sign defining consent in common areas, similar to signs prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from consuming alcohol. Furthermore, the list demands that athletes be held to the same sexual conduct standards as nonathletes. This demand appears to be related to the University’s handling of sexual assault allegations on campus following student and legal scrutiny surrounding the “permanent separation” of Brendan Gibbons, the Michigan football
team’s former starting kicker, for violating the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy. His removal came nearly four years after the incident of assault, which is reported to have occurred Nov. 22, 2009, during Gibbons’ freshman year at the University. One month after the incident was brought to light, Central Student Government formed an executive task force aimed at investigating Gibbons’ sexual misconduct case, ultimately finding the University’s administration and athletic department responsible for failing to investigate the Gibbons case in a timely, transparent manner. Fitzgerald said the University’s policy already aligns with this demand and affirms the equal treatment of athletes and non-athletes. “Athletes are treated exactly the same as every other student,” Fitzgerald said. “There is no separate process when it comes to sexual misconduct as the new policy makes clear.” The fourth demand calls into question the education of University staff and DPS in issues of sexual assault response, stating that current training is surface level and insufficient. The list of demands goes on to call for providing survivors of sexual violence the option to have the responsible party expelled from the University. The demands also ask that support be increased for survivors of sexual violence beyond the resources offered through SAPAC. This would include an increase in widely-known, immediate counseling services and would require that the parties found responsible for an act of sexual assault be restrained from interacting with
the survivor in his or her personal community. LSA sophomore Meredith Gillies, a SAPAC student volunteer, said because of the broad issues SAPAC attempts to address, there is room for improvement within the organization. “We do have a limited budget
and limited resources, so we do the best with what we have,” Gillies said. “We still have a lot we could do in terms of name-recognition because there are still students who really don’t know what SAPAC is. When it comes to giving students a voice, we really need students to be educated and that takes time.”
ENROLLMENT From Page 1A process of bringing any student to the University of Michigan: outreach, admittance and conversion, a term used to describe the process of convincing admitted students to enroll. William Collins, executive director of the University’s Center for Educational Outreach, said when it comes to increasing minority enrollment without affirmative action, each of those steps presents unique challenges. He said University officials have grown more cognizant of those challenges in the years since Proposal 2. “It’s not simply a matter of ‘can you get people to apply?’ although that’s an issue,” Collins said. “It’s not simply a matter of admitting (people), although that’s an issue. So when you look at it as a constellation of issues here, from aspirations to preparation to application to admission to conversion to matriculation, those are the things that I think there is a growing awareness of.” In 1996, Black students made up nearly nine percent of the student body, the highest it has ever been. By 2006, right before Proposal 2 came into play, that number had already dropped slightly, to 7.2 percent. The federal guidelines for measuring race changed in 2010, so the numbers aren’t entirely comparable, but over the next eight years, the percentages began a slow and steady decline to an even lower point. According to figures released last week by the Office of the Registrar, Black enrollment stands at 4.63 percent of the undergraduate population. When that number also includes a breakdown of students who identify as more than one race, as is in data compiled
REGENT From Page 1A
Ongoing initiatives As Michigan’s affirmative action ban moved from district court, to state court, to a sixmonth wait before the Supreme Court, and also amid renewed student protests such as BBUM, the University broadened its efforts in the two other steps of the admissions process — admittance and conversion — and beyond into addressing the climate on campus. Last spring, the University’s Board of Regents appointed two new administrators — Robert Sellers, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion Kedra Ishop, associate vice president for enrollment management. In an e-mail interview in early October, Sellers pointed to several factors as representative of the diversity, equity and inclusivity in his job title, including both recruitment and retention not only of students, but also staff and faculty, along with improving their campus experience. Earlier this year, Sellers chaired the newly formed Provost’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which released a report in May. The committee was structured to continue the work started by the original 2007 Blueprints on Diversity task force, which spawned the CEO, among other initiatives.
Opinion
Page 4A — Thursday, October 30, 2014
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Six words Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com PETER SHAHIN EDITOR IN CHIEF
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Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily’s editorial board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
FROM THE DAILY
I
Profiting off students
For-profit colleges yield high student debt and low graduation rates
n the past decade student debt has nearly tripled, rising to an alarming $1.2 trillion. A disproportionately high percentage of this debt is owed by students at for-profit universities, which specifically market their education as a product to targeted students while also often charging more in tuition fees than comparable community college programs. It is imperative that Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan State Legislature work together to swiftly regulate the for-profit college education industry as part of a strategic policy for reducing student debt overall. According to a 2012 report by the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, 96 percent of for-profit university students hold education-related debt, compared with 48 and 57 percent of students at public and private nonprofit colleges, respectively. Further, 22 percent of students at for-profit schools will default on a loan payment within the first three years, as compared with about 9 percent of students at a nonprofit college. For-profit institutions, as the name implies, operate as businesses — some even with shareholders and a corporate organizational structure — that sell education as a product. With the incentive to earn a profit, they must find ways to attract students to enroll. For-profit schools spend about 22.7 percent of their total revenue on sales and marketing. The University of Phoenix alone spends about $400,000 a day on advertising. Other institutions like DeVry and ITT Tech are among the largest advertisers on Google. Some of these unsavory business practices by for-profit institutions of higher education have also precipitated government legal action. Last year, California’s attorney general took a large for-profit chain to court for fabricating statistics, creating false advertising and engaging in other deceptive practices to lure minority or low-income residents to their schools. In February, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued ITT Educational Services, Inc., for predatory lending to students. Acceptance rates are comparatively high and tuition is about twice that of non-profit institutions. Meanwhile, only about 31.5 percent of students in for-profit schools graduated
compare to 57 percent for public nonprofits and 66 percent for private nonprofits, according to a 2014 article. The University of Phoenix, which has a location in Ann Arbor, graduates only 16 percent of its students through campus learning, and only 4 percent of its students who take courses online, according to a 2013 article. For those who do manage to graduate, students are less likely to receive callbacks from employers. This evidences that students are paying a high cost for a low return on their investment. Advertisements for for-profit schools boast their accelerated learning, online options and job placement records. They claim to offer to students what they may think is not available to them through traditional schooling, like targeted curricula, specific or technical job training, accelerated degrees or optimal return on investment. Likewise, prospective students may choose for-profit schools because they may initially appear less expensive than a traditional college. However, these students may be unaware that nonprofit schools often offer scholarships and grants to cover some, sometimes even all, of the costs for qualifying students. In planning for their educational futures, students should consider a wide variety of schools. But this problem extends far beyond individual decision-making. Systematic changes and regulation of for-profit schools need to be implemented to curb predatory practices. It is important that the state takes seriously the negative long-term effects, most notably high student debt, of enrolling in a for-profit university for students who might best benefit from other forms of education or work experience.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Devin Eggert, David Harris, Rachel John, Jordyn Kay, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Victoria Noble, Allison Raeck, Melissa Scholke, Michael Schramm, Matthew Seligman, Mary Kate Winn, Jenny Wang, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe
M
Jihad porn
id-Facebook procrastination session recently, I came across a video titled “[Graphic] Footage Recovered of ISIS Butchering 1500 Hostages Like Cattle.” The picture preview under the post was of what looked like a twenty-something, likely Arab, crouching and grimacing straight at the camera with a man behind him sprawled on the dirt with what looked like a blood YARDAIN splotch on his bare foot. AMRON Call me fucked up, but I clicked. And I’m still trying to understand why. The title was no exaggeration: open-bed trucks with plain-clothed prisoners packed in like cattle; said prisoners lined on their bellies, faces in the dirt; gunmen shooting the prisoners point blank. You can’t see the bullets or even where they hit exactly, but after each kickback from the assault rifle, a body bounces or jolts off the ground like Jell-O. After the last clip — in which a procession of prisoners kneel on a bloody dock and are executed by a masked man with a pistol and dumped in the water — I just sat there in the dark of my room for a moment, listening to the dehumidifier rattle. I tried quixotically for a few seconds to place “my feet” in masked pistol man’s “shoes.” To grasp the fact that such evil exists in the world today. To feel something for the slaughtered. I failed, I think, on all counts, and simply conjured an associative image of Holocaust cattle cars I had seen in a history textbook. I took a heavy sigh, and returned to my newsfeed where I chanced upon a compilation video of babies farting. I clicked and spooned a clump of Life cereal in excitement. Next thing I know, I’m spewing milk-soaked bits across the screen
as a baby rips one at an open-casket funeral. I feel guilty about my laughter. Desensitized surely. The juxtaposition of such heart -curdling and -cuddling content is terrible, and can’t be healthy for my psyche. It was during the Vietnam War (or the American War to the Vietnamese) that death and bloodshed first entered the average American living room on a wide scale. As the sprinkler watered the lawn and the pot roast broiled, our parents and grandparents gathered around the tube to watch the destruction their country was unloading across the globe. But even then, what the media chose to televise was filtered and censored. Only today, with the advent of the Internet, is it possible to bypass big media altogether and still reach the populace. And when radical groups like ISIS upload their terror videos, in their eyes, the more gruesome the better. The wickedness of the world in such raw form has not before been viewable to the clean-handed masses. Still, I’m sure there’s a sizable group out there that would rather avoid watching death, and chose not to click on ISIS’s video in the first place. But I’m also sure I’m not the only one who did click. I’ve never seen someone die, or even someone dead for that matter — in real life I mean — but I can say now that I’ve seen humans die on camera. What scares me is that nothing has changed. Why I can’t post the ISIS link here is because it would drive web traffic to the video. I completely get that reason, but I also feel justified for watching the slaughter to sympathize and actualize the dead. For understanding more lucidly, the evil that exists in this world. It’s a tricky line to maneuver, no doubt, but imagining without seeing isn’t always enough. — Yardain Amron can be reached at amron@umich.edu.
W
hat memory or event is worthy enough to stand as your memoir, to be the sole representation of who you are as a person? Oct. 20 was the National Day on Writing. In celebration, Sweetland Writing Center hosted the “Iron Writ- SIERRA ing Challenge,” BROWN which consisted of four challenges. This social media-based challenge required students to respond to the challenge prompts via Sweetland’s Facebook page as a comment on the desired challenge, or tweet a response with the hashtag #SweetlandNDOW. The number of likes, favorites or retweets determined the winner of each challenge. When reading through the prompts I contemplated whether or not I wanted to complete all or just a few of the challenges. Challenge one: “If I were to teach academic OR creative writing at U-M I would ____.” I didn’t know where to begin with this prompt and never had the desire to instruct a class, so I pushed this challenge to the side and considered the next one. “Write a limerick about writing.” My initial thought was this sounds fun, but the thought that followed was I hate writing poetry. Since limericks have a strict format — AABBA rhyme scheme — I decided to give my poetry writing a try. This task quickly lost its flare. Finding rhyming words was not as always as easy as it seemed, at least not for a poetry illiterate like myself. Since the limerick was becoming a pain in the neck, I crossed that challenge off of my to-do list. Two down, two to go was my thought upon moving to the third challenge: “Reimagine the thesis for a paper you’re working on or have already written AS a haiku.” Great, more poetry. I wanted to throw in the towel on this challenge immediately, but convinced myself to give this poem a try though I foresaw an uphill battle. To be fair, I told myself, these are challenges, and what would a challenge be
without a little struggle? Or a lot. Thinking, rather hoping, that I’d have better luck with haikus, another poem with a strict format — 17 syllables divided into lines of five, seven and five. I was able to spend more time on this poem, first deciding which class from which to borrow a thesis from. I settled on a Literature and Social Change English class. I’d recently had the thesis for my first paper approved by my professor. Selecting a thesis proved to be the easy part; condensing a five sentence thesis into a 17-syllable poem was much harder. After working on this for a while, I took a break and examined the last challenge option. “Write your memoir in six words.” This prompt intrigued me and I initially wrote it off as a piece of cake. Six words was the shortest requirement for the challenges and it seemed like a no-brainer. However, once I began brainstorming, this prompt was by far the most challenging one. After spending more time than expected analyzing my possible responses, I decided to disregard the other prompts and focus solely on this one. Technically, completing these challenges was a competition, but I was not competing to win any prize. I wasn’t even competing to win, but I was dedicated to writing this memoir for two reasons. One, this prompt was the most intriguing, and two, this prompt was the most challenging. While I backed down from the other challenges, I forced myself to complete this one. After filling two pages of ideas for my memoir I took a hiatus from writing, and made a plan to write more the next day. The following day, when I found a bit of free time, I wrote more ideas. Nothing seemed to work for me. Each time I wrote something too long. After allowing myself to become frustrated, I stopped and actually thought about what a memoir was — a piece of writing that details memories of moments and events in the public
and private life of the author. This definition in mind, I tried to write again. No words came to mind. I couldn’t think of any events that occurred in my life worth discussing. I supposed I could talk about high school, or college, or maybe even my family. But what could I divulge to readers about myself? Brainstorming went from fun to challenging to ugh! Later in the day, I began asking friends to write their memoirs in six words. Few were able to, most were not. I had an extended conversation with my best friend and she began asking questions about how I define myself. As a student, daughter, sister and friend. How about that, she asks. I considered it, but something about those words was still unsatisfying. I felt like I wanted to actually discuss an event or moment that made me who I am today. My school, family and friends did play a role in that, but I had this urge to say more. Oct. 20 came and I was still wrestling with ideas. I went to Sweetland’s Facebook page to view others’ responses. After logging in, I stopped myself. I didn’t want to get any ideas from others’ work. I sat in front of my computer, notebook in lap, and flipping through page after page, I circled a few of my favorite six-word sentences. After a game of eeny, meeny, miny, moe, I selected one and submitted it. I logged out of Facebook before I had time to reread my response and regret my decision. Though the challenge gave me more trouble than expected, I still enjoyed trying to write something impressive. I never considered how hard it would be to discuss something about myself in six words. How many of us have considered the battle of writing about our lives, something that we should be experts on, when given a word constraint? What six words are worthy enough to make the cut for your memoir?
I never considered how hard it would be to discuss something about myself in six words.
— Sierra Brown can be reached at snbrown@umich.edu.
Stuart Rankin’s simple reminder
C
oming from a family of educators, professors and school administrators, Stuart Rankin enrolled at the University of Michigan in the summer of 1945 with every intention of becoming an engineer. Throughout his LAUREN freshman year at MCCARTHY the University, Rankin discovered that he had no issue completing the logistical portions of the engineering course load, but found that he was not entirely interested in the nature of the work. He transferred into the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, and sampled a number of courses before graduating with a degree in Economics and no definite career path. Shortly after Stuart Rankin graduated from the University of Michigan in 1949, however, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as it prepared for the Korean War. On post, Rankin met a number of people who had not yet been activated, and like himself, they spent their time enlisted living and working on the army base while stationed safely in the personnel office. In the evenings and on weekends, Stuart and a handful of his friends from the base — seven or so — developed a routine of heading into Highland, Illinois, to grab a few drinks. After some time, these seven friends mustered up the courage to confront Rankin. They knew he had gone to college, and having graduated from the University of Michigan, that made him the minority in their circle. For these seven friends of his, attending a university had never been an option. They hadn’t tried particularly hard in high school because there was nothing to come of it. However, following the enactment of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act — informally understood to be the G.I. Bill — a college education had suddenly become a reality.
With little to offer in return, they asked Rankin if he would be willing to teach them weekday evenings and help them prepare for higher education. He agreed, and in return, he never had to purchase himself another beer. All of Rankin’s friends were ultimately admitted into and graduated from college, and consequently, the man who had once entered college with the intention of never teaching, decided that he no longer wanted to do anything but teach. When speaking with Mr. Rankin this past weekend, he was adamant on conveying this anecdote and its importance to me. He instructed that I listen closely, affirming that it is perfectly fine to be undecided on a choice of major and convincing me that there is no proven formula to determine the correct career path. Mr. Rankin’s message came as a welcomed, simple reminder. Now retired from 37 years of service in the Detroit Public School System and 20 years at the University’s School of Education, Mr. Rankin is viewed as the archetypal Michigan Man in the eyes of his colleagues, friends and family due to his deep respect for knowledge and the strength of his commitment to institutions of education, particularly the University of Michigan. Rankin humbly and systematically worked his way up through the educational ranks, ending his time in DPSS as Assistant Superintendent. He spent his time at the School of Education enthralled by and dedicated to curriculum development and research. Mr. Rankin’s sentiments reminded me of the modest insight that my eclectic, yet effective, English 425 professor refuses to let his students forget: “Scratch your itch.” Though at this point in our lives, it seems as though we may still be attempting to discover said itch. When I spoke with Mr. Rankin
he could not recall the record of the football team during his four years at the University, nor could he cite the effectiveness of head coach Bennie Oosterbaan’s leadership strategies. Rather, he was unconcerned with these particular details as he relayed to me his experience at the University, if not utterly confused why I had even bothered to ask. Nonetheless, he did report that he started watching the Michigan football team in 1936, and has seen at least one game every year since. Now celebrating his 80th year of unwavering fanhood, Rankin will be in attendance as the Wolverines take on the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big House this Saturday. When we are 65 years removed from the University, we will not remember the debates surrounding exactly who should replace Michigan coach Brady Hoke, and we won’t remember what was said at any given “Fire Dave Brandon” rally. We may not even remember the almost obscene amount of money that made possible the transplantation of a single tree. Yet somehow, I’ll hedge my bets that we too will celebrate 80 years of unfailingly cheering on the Wolverines. Ultimately, what will resonate with us are the same realizations that I am grateful Stuart Rankin was so intent on sharing with me. Explore this five-figure education you are investing in and exhaust the options for what may eventually be etched onto your diploma. Do not put too much stock into the confines of your concentration, and allow yourself to find your itch — and then scratch it. If you’re lucky enough, you may even be able to orchestrate a way in which to scratch that itch, while also never having to buy yourself another beer.
I’ll hedge my bets that we too will celebrate 80 years of unfailingly cheering on the Wolverines.
— Lauren McCarthy can be reached at laurmc@umich.edu.
Weekend Roundup
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Thursday, October 30, 2014 — 5A
THIS IS HALLOWEEN: the Do’s and Don’ts By Jaclyn Nagel, Weekend Roundup Contributor | Photos by Emilie Plesset, Weekend Roundup Editor
When you look back on Halloween in a week, a month, or a year, you want to remember it as one of the best weekends of your life. Follow these do’s and don’ts to ensure your weekend is a dream, not a nightmare.
DO DRESS UP Halloween is the one time of year that you can pretend to be anything or anyone you want. You could be anything from a beanie baby to Austin Powers to Harry Potter to a dust bunny. This is your opportunity to escape from reality, which is pretty ideal right after midterms. Especially after getting your grades back. GO ALL OUT Throughout the year, you may go to a variety of themed parties, but wearing a sequin headband isn’t exactly “dressing up.” Halloween is the time to go all out. From your head to your
toes, nothing should be out of character. EAT EVERYTHING I don’t care if you’re on a liquid diet; eat everything. There will be candy all over campus so there’s no reason to try to resist. You will lose. Give in to temptation with a caramel apple, candy corn or a pumpkin-shaped cookie. I promise, you won’t regret it.
DON’T DISRESPECT RELIGIONS, BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURES Being a part of a diverse campus, we all know people who are from different backgrounds and dressing up as someone’s race, culture, ethnicity, etc. is inappropriate and disrespectful. Remember to be mindful of everyone else’s backgrounds while picking out a costume. For example, being Ariel won’t make any one feel discriminated
By BRAD WHIPPLE Weekend Roundup Editor It’s finally Halloween, giving students across campus an excuse to dress up in ridiculous outfits for one night of the year. Whether you’re at a Halloweenthemed party or trick-ortreating, you’ll eventually have some down time. I know there’s homework to do and tests to study for, but take a break from all of that. Instead, sit back and choose from one of these mustwatch Halloween movies. HALLOWEENTOWN If you had any sort of childhood, you had to have seen the great Disney classic from 1998, “Halloweentown.” In a time before DVR cable boxes, watching “Halloweentown” annually became a tradition for many. “Halloweentown” follows Marnie Piper’s family as they try to stop the darkness from taking over Halloweentown, a society full of ghouls and ghosts that is separate from society. Even now, this movie still packs all of the enjoyment my younger self felt every year. If you love this movie enough, watch the sequel “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge.” It doesn’t have that feeling of originality, but is still fun like the original. But be advised: avoid “Halloweentown High” and “Return to Halloweentown,” both of which may lead you to throw up the candy you worked hard to get. ALIEN “In space, no one can hear you scream.” If that doesn’t make your blood curdle, good for you. But for the rest of us, “Alien” is a classic sci-fi horror movie that follows a group of scientists traveling in outer space on a research mission. If you like Sigourney Weaver, chest-bursting aliens and
‘face-huggers’ (still give me nightmares), this is the movie for you. ALIENS If you want less of a psychological thriller and more of a sci-fi action movie with horror elements, watch “Aliens.” This sequel is just as scary, but focuses more on the fight against the xenomorph aliens. The movie’s most memorable line is “They mostly come out at night. Mostly.” In other words, save this movie for the daytime if you like sleeping soundly. CABIN IN THE WOODS When I first watched “Cabin in the Woods,” my first thought was, Isn’t that the actor who plays Thor? It has to be a good movie. But I quickly learned that Chris Hemsworth’s painful-towatch performance signaled this was a movie poking fun at horror movie culture while also trying to be considered a legitimate scary movie itself. The movie is about a group of teenagers who decide it would be a great idea to stay alone in a cabin in the woods. If you’ve ever seen a scary movie, you can probably infer how the rest of the story goes. There are moments where I laughed, moments where I hugged my knees, and moments where I cried (from more hysterical laughter). Overall, this is a great movie to get a kick out of with your friends. The ending of the movie escalates very quickly, and will leave you absolutely flabbergasted. BEETLEJUICE “Beetlejuice” is a classic late ‘80s movie starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis. More importantly, “Beetlejuice” is directed by Tim Burton. Burton, an expert in quirky horror films, takes us on an adventure with Baldwin and
HALLOWEEN S TA F F P I C K S THR I LLER BY M. J. BEST SONG
THE WA LKI N G D EA D BEST TELEVISION SHOW
S N I C KERS
EVENTS
against. GO OUT ALONE The University of Michigan may not be known for being a party school most of the year, but when it comes to Welcome Week, Halloweek and St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a whole different story. Make sure you go out with friends and stay with them throughout the night; that is the best way to keep yourself and each other safe, especially during these extracrazy occasions.
Thursday, 10/30 Zombie Nightmare on Fletcher Street 6-8p.m. UHS Reverse Trick or Treating
7 p.m. Mary Markley
Friday,10/31
GO OVERBOARD I know that midterms are over and we are all ready to let loose and go a little wild, but don’t take it too far. Halloweek is such a surreal time, it’s easy to forget that we all have limits and those limits might be lower than usual. Our last few weekends have been spent at the UGLi studying for finals and living off Dayquil, so make sure to go slow and be aware of how many drinks you’ve indulged in and how many more you can safely handle.
The most spooktastic movies to watch during Halloweekend Davis, a married couple who die in the beginning of the movie. Upon their death, we follow them through the world of the dead until they return to the home they left behind and haunt its newest residents. “Beetlejuice” is one of the funniest Halloween movies I’ve seen. If you’ve never seen it, you’re definitely missing out.
Spookappellooza
6:30 p.m. MLB Auditorium 3
Saturday, 11/1 Michigan Football vs. Indiana
3:30 p.m. The Big House
Halloween Tailgate
12 p.m. The Diag
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Classifieds RELEASE DATE– Thursday, October 30, 2014
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BEST MOVIE
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ACROSS 1 Crawled, perhaps 5 Broadway show whose title woman can “coax the blues right out of the horn” 9 Renege, with “out” 12 Andalusian appetizer 13 Accord competitor 15 Hole starter 16 Postal service 18 __-pitch 19 Kanakaredes of “CSI: NY” 20 Plastered 22 Curled-lip look 23 Brigades, e.g. 25 The tar, in Spanish 27 Anonymous John 28 “The Black Cat” author 31 __ moss 32 Mountains dividing Europe and Asia 35 With 37-Across, sentence openings, and what the ends of 16-, 23-, 47-, and 57-Across can be when rearranged 37 See 35-Across 40 Hop follower 41 Modest dress 42 NASCAR __ 43 Lion or tiger 45 Exercises begun in a supine position 47 “You made your point” 50 “... if you want to __ man’s character, give him power”: Lincoln 54 Part of 56-Across 55 Eats pretzels, say 56 Google hit 57 Form small teams at school 60 What “I” may indicate 61 Common soccer score 62 Only 63 June honorees 64 Blind component 65 Breyers competitor
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33 Coach Parseghian 34 ’60s hallucinogen 36 Old Bristol-Myers toothpaste 37 Beer choice 38 College email ending 39 Extreme summit 41 Former space station 44 “Solve __ decimal places”
45 Reddish-brown horse 46 Bagel choice 47 Eat loudly 48 Main artery 49 Mars pair 51 Drew back 52 NFL analyst Bradshaw 53 Beasts of burden 55 St. Louis-toChicago dir. 58 Place to see RVs 59 NFL mistake
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Sports
6A — Thursday, October 30, 2014
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Passing game seeks With LeVert, Spike, ‘M’ in good hands remedy in practice T
FOOTBALL
By GREG GARNO Managing Sports Editor
The Michigan football team passed for 503 yards in a 63-47 victory over Indiana last year. The Wolverines haven’t reached that many yards in their past three games combined. Last year, Michigan passed for more than 200 yards in nine of its 13 games, including seven of its first eight. This year, it hasn’t recorded a single game with more than 200 passing yards. Most importantly, the Wolverines passed for 21 touchdowns last year, including 13 through eight games. This year, they’ve recorded just six. It’s in large part why they’ve been scoring less and explains in part the struggles of a poor season. The passing game hasn’t played at a level to win games, and with just four contests left, the chances to improve its aerial attack are looking less likely by the day. “I don’t think it’s anyone individually that’s caused that problem,” said sophomore tight end Jake Butt. “We left a lot out on the field. I think that’s just more of a need to execute.” The Wolverines have failed to execute in nearly every aspect of the passing attack, though, from the catching to the blocking. Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner has proven inconsistent enough to be benched, or more recently against Michigan State, pulled for a play. Last week, he threw two interceptions. Other times, he has missed an open receiver like Butt, instead opting to air it out to junior wide receiver Devin Funchess. He targeted Funchess 17 times in the past three games and 41 times
on the season — the most of any receiver. But his offensive line hasn’t blocked long enough to let him set his feet and pass. If Gardner wasn’t being hit by the Spartans as he threw, he was scrambling for room after they hurried him four times and sacked him twice. And when he did get the ball out, his wide receivers couldn’t hang onto it. Michigan receivers dropped seven passes on Saturday, a rarity this season. “In the passing game, routes being cut short, routes not being exactly what we want.,” said Michigan coch Brady Hoke. “Again, we’ve got to do a good job of catching the football. There’s multiple reasons (for struggling in the passing game).” Often, the passing game will be dependent on the running game for its success, which has become tougher after the loss of sophomore running back Derrick Green to a season-ending injury. The Wolverines, under offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, ran just under a dozen pass plays out of play action Saturday, including three in the fourth quarter when they had yet to score a touchdown. This week, practice has pitted first-team defensive players against first-team offensive players, as opposed to playing against a scout team, for the sake of simulating game speed and intensity. But that might be the only difference. “We still do the same stuff. If not, in similar forms,” said redshirt junior Justice Hayes. “We’re very confident in our schemes and gameplan.” If they won’t change their offense, than they’ll need to be near perfect in execution to succeed through the air.
wo Thursdays ago, Spike Albrecht and Caris LeVert had job interviews. They’d both been preparing for this day for years, but neither thought it would actually come. The two underrecruited high school players stood in the SIMON shadows of KAUFMAN the other members of the Fresh Five recruiting class. But now, with just two of the original five remaining, it’s up to Spike and LeVert to accept a promotion. Instead of a single interviewer, a handful of reporters surrounded the junior guards and started firing questions. The interviewee’s goal wasn’t a new job as much as it was to prove he was worthy of the one he already had. The job description? Leading a team that includes six true freshmen deep into the NCAA Tournament. Spike and LeVert answered one question clearly: Despite losing five players from last year’s team, the Wolverines are in good hands. Compared to last year, the roles aren’t as clearly defined this season. But one thing is — the first tier of leaders will be Spike and LeVert. *** Early in his interview, Spike starts hearing questions about that night. The one that transformed the under-recruited 5-foot-11 guard from a nobody to a guy whom nobody forgets. The reporter finishes his question, and Spike turns to another who says he won’t be
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
Juniors Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht have a new role in their junior years — leading the Michigan basketball team.
asking about that game or that tweet. Spike is relieved. He doesn’t mind reminiscing about that night or that tweet, but he’d rather talk about this season. That night is just one line on his lengthy résumé which also features a team-best 4.6 assist-to-turnover ratio from last season. That night doesn’t showcase his selflessness. That night is in the past. He has been there, done that, and wants to do it again. That’s why the selfadmittedly shy guy will be one of Michigan’s most vocal leaders this year. He has to be. *** LeVert sits on the other side of the table taking his own questions. He’s asked about his body. The one that came onto campus as a scrawny 170-
pound brace-faced freshman and is listed now at 200 pounds after long days spent in the gym. The one whose owner has demonstrated a gym-rat work ethic and already has people talking about a potential promotion to the NBA. In his seat at media day, he thinks about each question, hesitates briefly and gives quick, quiet responses. You wouldn’t know that when the suit comes off and the jersey goes on, he’s capable of crossing over defenders and attacking the rim or spotting up behind the arc to knock down 3-pointers. College coaches looking to employ his talents sure didn’t know it. And now, LeVert, who was named to the Preseason AllBig Ten team, is ready to live up to the expectations.
“This year, (my role) is a lot more clear, so I’m definitely more prepared for my role,” he said. “(My role) is to be the leader of the team. One of the captains, hopefully me and Spike can really take on that role.” *** As the interview comes to an end, the two get up from their seats. The day isn’t over yet. LeVert has a photo shoot with ESPN, and Spike has a radio interview with SiriusXM. Spike and LeVert don’t need a letter of acceptance to know that they aced the interview and have the job already. Now it’s time to make the money. Kaufman can be reached at sjkauf@umich.edu or on Twitter: @sjkauf.
B
The Michigan Daily | michigandaily.com | Thursday, October 30, 2014
“
A little while later, the knocking started again. But this time, it was more violent and more intense, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is scary.’ And I called my parents, crying and screaming.
”
By Chloe Gilke, Daily TV/New Media Editor PHOTO BY NICK WILLIAMS DESIGN BY SHANE ACHENBACH AND SHREYA RAZAK
Arts
2B — Thursday, October 30, 2014
FOOD COLUMN
Greece à la Ann Arbor at ‘Mezes’ By GIANCARLO BUONOMO Daily Food Columnist
S
erving ethnic food anywhere in the United States is difficult, but it must be especially so in Ann Arbor. Veer too far toward authenticity, and you risk Ayour only customers being Mezes lonely graduGreek Grill ate students. Americanize 715 N. your food University too much, $ and you’ll be forced to cover everything with Kraft singles and mayonnaise for maize-andblue clad superfans. So I was intrigued when I heard about Mezes Greek Grill, a newcomer on North University recently opened by the Roumanis family. I have very little experience with Greek food. I study Ancient Greek, so my perception of Hellenic culture is all thighbones burned at the altar, ramming triremes and bearded philosophers canoodling beautiful boys. My perception of the food was that it wasn’t Italian. I had no idea whether to expect vague pan-Mediterranean comfort, or a restaurant plucked straight out of Athens via helicopter and plopped down next to the Ann Arbor Panera. There were no thighbones burning in the kitchen when I first stepped into Mezes, but there was a spit stacked high with layers of lamb slowly turning next to heat lamps. That lamb is sliced off in short strips for gyro, a staple Greek dish that Mezes serves several versions of. The one I tried on my first visit was classic: meat, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, onion and yogurt sauce ... except for the three fries placed on top. I think this dish best represents Mezes’ solution to the conundrum presented at the beginning. The food is unmistakably, authentically Greek, but with American
touches that are simultaneously comforting and creative. The menu revolves around several core proteins, differing in both type and preparation. There’s the roasted lamb gyro, or grilled souvlakia of beef, chicken or pork. You can get all of these on a skewer or on a pita, either by itself or with a Greek salad and grilled bread. I highly recommend the sandwich route. The combination of warm meat, tangy yogurt and crisp vegetables — with that trio of hot, salty fries — is simple but full of flavorful contrasts. The souvlakia is far and away the best. The menu says that they’re grilled but they taste like they’ve been deep fried, with a crisp, caramelized exterior and moist, almost fluffy interior, like meaty falafel. The gyro also has a nice flavor, but all those hours wiltering under the heat lamps leave the meat a bit desiccated. The pork and chicken are best enjoyed on a stick, so that the flavors of the marinade — olive oil, lemon, herbs — can come through. It’s with the side dishes that Mezes really creates some wonderful culinary synergy between Greece and America. The first time I went in, the guy behind the counter asked me if I wanted Greek fries. I said yes, and a few minutes later received what looked like a fresher version of poutine, that classic Quebecois dish of fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. This one was the Greek version, with lemony dressing, crumbled feta and olives. What’s great about it is how each element is taken seriously. The actual fries are some of the best I’ve had in Ann Arbor: thick yet crispy, streaked with earthy skin. The dressing is vibrant, the cheese becomes molten from the heat, the olives actually taste like olives. The Greek potato salad is even better. Chunks of tender spud are combined with not mayonnaise, but that same lemon dressing and chopped dill, scallion and
red onion. The potatoes soak up the vinaigrette, softening them to the point where bits break off and thicken the olive oil and lemon. It’s potato salad bound with potato. If you have any room left, the baklava is definitely worth it. A thick layer of chopped walnuts and honey, fragrant with cumin and cinnamon, is sandwiched between layers of phyllo. It’s sweet but not cloying, opulently rich but not so much that you only eat one bite. And if you’re really in the mood for something new, try a Frappé coffee. I’d never heard of this drink, which apparently is ubiquitous in Greece and Cyprus. To make it, you take Nescafé, water and sugar blended into a froth and then pour that into a glass of ice and milk. It tastes like a glass full of cappuccino foam, and must be drunk in small sips.
A mix of passion, politeness, sass and herbs. Whatever you order, I’m sure that you’ll notice the unique ambiance of Mezes as soon as you walk in. This is not a place for the grumpy or antisocial. Ask about the ingredients of a salad, and you might get a long lecture about the careful sourcing of the olive oil. Cough when you walk in, and you’ll be told that you need soup. Sit down, and you’ll definitely get at least two people asking you if you like everything, with a recommendation for what to order next time. At Mezes, this mix of passion, politeness and sass is as important as the mixture of herbs. Buonomo is secretly wishing he was Greek. To console him, e-mail gbuonomo@umich.edu.
Do you consider yourself “stylish,” a “fashionista” or just plain ol’ “cool”? If so, you should definitely apply to write for the new Daily
Arts Style Beat.
E-mail erikacat@umich.edu to request an application.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ARTS EDITOR PICKS Daily Arts staff choose their favorite bits of Halloween pop culture. ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ I’m assuming 99.9 percent of people don’t think of Halloween when they hear Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf,” but it’s basically on every Spotify Halloween playlist and I haven’t stopped listening to it for the past four weeks for whatever reason, so I’m running with it. I’ll be honest — for the longest time, whenever I heard this song I thought of “Lizzie McGuire,” because I’m kind of sure that there was an episode where Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo were running around the halls of their junior high while this song played. Or maybe I’m thinking of “Big Fat Liar” — I know for a fact this song was in that movie. It’s when Amanda Bynes and Frankie
EMI
Muniz turned Paul Giamatti blue in a montage that should be used in all intro film classes. Those were better times. Though ’80s pop bands don’t usually coincide with the spooky, they never fail to maintain a certain level of disturbing. “In touch with the ground, I’m on the hunt I’m after you?” No thanks, Nick Rhodes.
But I still love this song more than I love “Monster Mash,” and “Thriller” seemed too easy (nothing but respect, Michael). Also, wolves are inherently Halloween-y (Halloweenie?) and you can’t argue with that logic. So help me God if this isn’t on everyone’s party playlist this weekend... —ERIKA HARWOOD
Put a Spell on You” while sporting a fake overbite, and Parker as a ditzy flirt who tries to put the moves on anything that doesn’t move fast enough? “Hocus Pocus” is unique in the Halloween genre by being grounded in reality. Yes, three Salem-era witches are brought back from the dead alongside, yes, a 500-year-old cat who is actually a teenage boy. But at
its heart “Hocus Pocus” is about growing up and feeling awkward and losing control … with witches. With famed “High School Musical” director Kenny Ortega (yeah, that’s fucking right) at the helm, there is no doubt “Hocus Pocus” was destined to be the perennial Halloween classic that it is. #Yabbos4Life —NATALIE GADBOIS
House” ’s “Halloween (Part 1)” and “Halloween (Part 2).” The two-part episode corresponds with the exact moment “American Horror Story” became the undisputed, unrivaled authority on horror television of our generation. When the dead can roam free for the day, Violet (Taissa Farmiga, “The Bling Ring”) confronts the tragic truth about her murderous (and deceased) boyfriend Tate (Evan Peters, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”). Britton’s Vivien comes face-to-face
with her husband’s pregnant (and deceased) mistress Hayden (Kate Mara, “House of Cards”). And Jessica Lange continues to deliver a riveting performance as Constance, who grieves over her vivacious (and recently deceased) daughter Addie (Jamie Brewer, “American Horror Story: Coven”). The episodes — between their thrilling characters, frightening narrative and Octoberinfused aesthetic — makes for the perfect Halloween viewing. —ALEC STERN
‘Hocus Pocus’ I know, it’s the obvious choice. Survey 10 people born between 1990 and 1996 and at least eight would name the daft joy that is “Hocus Pocus” as their favorite Halloween movie — one buzzkill purist who picks an actual horror movie, and the token “Halloweentown” obsessive. But “Hocus Pocus” really is that good — it’s original but distinctly relatable, funny for a giggly seven year old, and funnier for a 19 year old who finally gets Sarah Jessica Parker’s character. Though the plot ostensibly follows horny high schooler Max on his mission to get some action on Halloween — and his bratty sister’s consistent derailment of his plans — the real stars are the #witches, who grace us with their humor and significant star power. What other film features Bette Midler belting “I
BUENA VISTA
‘AHS’ OK, “American Horror Story” might also be an obvious choice, but I’m not talking about the recent iteration or any season in particular. For the last four years, “Horror Story” ’s two-part Halloween installments have become an undisputed highlight of the critically acclaimed anthology drama. This year, the characters are warned that any freak who performs on Halloween summons the spirit of the two-faced Edward Mordrake. (When the freaks inevitably perform on Halloween, we get Jessica Lange’s glorious rendition of Lana Del Rey’s “Gods & Monsters.”) On Friday, if you find yourself in the mood for both Connie Britton and horror, but don’t want to watch the 2010 “Nightmare on Elm Street” remake (and let’s face it, who isn’t always in the mood for both Connie Britton and horror), revisit “Murder
FX
MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW Unsurprisingly devoid of excitement or hype, OK Go released a new album this past week titled Hungry A Ghosts. It’s a decent I Won’t Let album with You Go a classic altpop sound OK Go similar to BMG Rights other contemporaries like American Authors or Sheppard. Despite the mediocrity of the album, Internet energy floated around its release because of what it promised: a new OK Go music video. The band holds all its true talent and ingenuity in its music video making efforts. With millions of views on YouTube to prove it, OK Go dedicates itself and its mild musical success to the production of eccentric, extensive and aweprovoking visual feats — in the form of a music video. “I Won’t Let You Down” passively plays as the upbeat background to another visual masterpiece. Directed by noted Japanese director Morihiro Harano, the music video begins in an abandoned warehouse in the city of Chiba, about 45 minutes outside of Tokyo. The high-tech
BMG RIGHTS
nature of this video stands out immediately. The camera is a specialized drone controlled both by GPS and hand. The band members also never leave their chairs, which are motorized scooter-like transporters from which they move around and choreograph feigned tap dancing and umbrella twirls. Initially the band is very Gene Kelly à la “Singin’ in the Rain.” Black suits, colorful socks and tap dancing from futuristic moving chairs. And then the troupe of Japanese dancers appear... Next, the camera drone follows the band and girls outside
into a manicured parking lot. Here the umbrella swirls and the dancing becomes more theatrical and complex. The drone camera takes an aerial view and follows the impeccably synchronized movements of the dancers and band mates. The ending aerial display is the zenith of the video, made even more incredible by the knowledge that it was shot 50 to 60 times to achieve perfection. It’s another great music video from the OK Go boys. The 2010 Rube Goldberg Machine video for “This Too Shall Pass” is hard to beat, but
the meticulous production of this video keeps it in a close second. Enhanced only slightly by the music, the “I Won’t Let You Down” music video has already surpassed 6 million views. For those previously uneducated in OK Go’s visual talents, this music video is an excellent example of the dedication and large-scale approaches they are willing to take for a mediocre, five-minute song. You don’t have to think too much or listen too hard: Just sit back and watch as a drone guides your eyes on a synchronized routine in Japan. —AMELIA ZAK
the b-side
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Thursday, October 30, 2014 — 3B
SCARE PARTY
LITERARY COLUMN
Student musicians find venue at co-op
Can I write an entire novel in a month?
Local bands to participate in ‘Luther Halloween’ By AMRUTHA SIVAKUMAR
By GRACE PROSNIEWSKI
Daily Arts Writer
Daily Literary Columnist
Piped-in music may be the most obvious way to turn up a house party in Ann Arbor’s college scene, but Luther Buchele Cooperative House does it differently. On Friday, the co-op will rehash its annual Luther Halloween, bringing seven bands to play on its stages — adding a more organic touch to the festivities that surround the eve of All Saints’ Day. Starting at 10 p.m., two rooms in the co-op’s house will simultaneously host a series of bands from the Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor areas. As the night progresses, Luther Halloween will showcase the eclectic local music scene. On the heavier side, there’s Arson Party, a technically driven progressive metal that shreds past most local bands; Dirty Deville, a reggae and rock outfit that straddles the fence between being suited for a coffee table playlist and a punk-rock audience; and Caves, a sonic concoction of experimental rock and jazz, loaded with strong instrumentals. But on the other end of the spectrum, The Euphorics feature a feel-good, danceable set list and Stormy Chromer, which boasts exceptional live instrumental clarity. When it comes to gritty local bands, there’s no deficit. After Hours Radio will bring a funkand reggae-driven alternative rock, and Silent Affair will supply a wide variety of funk-rock influence. Engineering senior and music organizer for Luther Halloween Jack Rosette called the annual event the “biggest Halloween party in Ann Arbor.” He added that this year’s festivities will focus more on live music than previous years. “Expect a lot of people, because it’s the biggest party for Halloween for anywhere in Ann Arbor and probably anywhere in the county,” Rosette said. “We love doing this and we love it when people come and enjoy music at our house. Ann Arbor is just as (much) part of this as we are. The city and the people around here are very conducive to what we do.”
s Halloween approaches, I’ve been wracking my brain to find a suitably spooky topic to write on this week. As I’ve already written about my favorite horror stories, I was left to wonder what else could strike fear into your very hearts, gentle readers. The release of midterm grades? Perhaps. Scheduling classes for next semester? Undoubtedly. The remainder of this football season? Nothing quite so terrifying. Well how about that this Saturday marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo? Cue the f lickering lights and jarring minor chords. For those of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo is an annual online creative writing project that challenges participants to write 50,000 words of an original novel from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30. Using the NaNoWriMo site, you can track your progress, connect with fellow writers and access resources for when you’re feeling stuck. Many may scoff at the idea of writing a quality novel within a month, but before you start throwing your vintage typewriters at me, hear me out. The point of NaNoWriMo isn’t for writers to churn out perfectly crafted novels. Instead, it provides budding novelists with a semi-structured plan to produce a first draft, which can then be edited after the month is over. Given all this, you may wonder why I think of NaNoWriMo as a potentially scary subject. If your experiences with it are anything like my own, it’s not hard to guess. I tend to follow a very set pattern in which I first feel totally up for NaNoWriMo, I then proceed to forget about it until a week into November, after which I furiously scribble out a page to somewhat catch up, then never return to it but swear I’ll do better next year. However, no excuses this year, because I am now publicly accountable to you, dear readers. To better prepare myself and any others who may be
A ‘rite of passage’ Over the last year, Caves has grown to become a household name to many local music fans. By crafting a sophisticated style of rock, they rose quickly through the rungs of the Ann Arbor music scene. “We’re starting to develop a little bit more identity as a group,” said Music, Theatre & Dance senior Alex Koi, Caves’
A
NICHOLAS WILLIAMS/Daily
Luther Buchele Cooperative House hosts an annual Halloween music party.
lead vocalist. After the band’s Oct. 10 show at The Blind Pig, Rosette approached Koi and asked him to play at Luther Halloween. Taking the Luther stage at 12:20 a.m., Caves will play several new songs currently being recorded for their upcoming record. Fans can also expect to hear a “secret cover” played during the night, Koi teased. “I’ve been to three Luther Halloweens; I just always remember having a really, really great time,” Koi said as she recalled watching older students in the jazz department performing live at last year’s event. “Now we’re playing there, which is really cool for me on a personal level.” “We’re starting to develop bit more of an identity as a band,” she added. “The more you play, the more you get out there, the more feedback you’re going to get. The feedback is positive feedback.” The Euphorics, another young powerhouse in Ann Arbor’s music scene, is no stranger to large crowds and bright lights. Having performed at a show in Luther earlier this year and another at Truth House, the largest co-op in Ann Arbor, the band is ready to expand its set of originals and covers for the co-op’s stage the second time around. “We’ve been taking our originals on test runs, and we’ve really been excited with the outcomes,” said Music, Theatre & Dance sophomore Erez Levin, drummer for The Euphorics. “The co-op circuit is a great atmosphere because everyone is there to party but everyone wants to see a live band.” In the week leading up to the show, The Euphorics arranged a piece to “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” a Beatles track from Abbey Road. Calling it the band’s “Halloween rocker,” guitarist Dan Sagher said performing covers allows the band to bring back some of its high school musical influences to fit alongside its originals. The Euphorics will take the stage at 1:30 a.m. and close out the night. “Worst case scenario, we’ll just write a song on the spot,” vocalist and guitarist Nadim
Azzam said, laughing. Taking advantage of the variety of students and music fans that will be at Luther, Azzam said the band would be ready to play as many of its tracks as would fit in the night. “(Luther is) one of the few places where you can get kids to come out and actually give a shit,” he added. “Every band you meet in Ann Arbor says ‘Hey, I remember playing at Luther,’ and it feels like a rite of passage.” Beyond the co-op, to Ann Arbor Luther Co-op’s withstanding focus on live music over the years is indisputable. Known as the location of poet and activist John Sinclair’s freedom rally — whose efforts led to the redefining of marijuana laws in Ann Arbor 40 years ago to allow the annual Hash Bash — the Luther House has since been a conglomeration of artists, musicians and writers, and is often recognized for their annual Halloween parties. Acting as a leaping point for local bands to play at larger venues like The Blind Pig, Luther has served as an anchor to musicians across all genres. Calling himself the “bearer of the torch for this generation” of Luther music, Rosette said the co-op was happy to be a part of the growing dialogue about local music. “Luther is welcoming, it’s open and it’s a place where people know that they will have a good time and they will be exposed to real music made by real people who are just doing it for the love of making music,” Rosette said. “That’s one big love pot.” By coexisting in the same music environment as newer bands such as San Cristobal, Caves and Yada Yada, Azzam said it felt as if they were “rejuvenating the music scene” together and gaining recognition as local artists. “It feels like one of the things about being a musician in Ann Arbor that I’ve heard a lot of people talking about is that a few years ago — through artists like Theo Katzman and My Dear Disco — it was a unified scene and everything was really coming together. I never really experienced that, but it’s all sort of coming back.”
SINGLE REVIEW A Young Money dream team has come together for Nicki Minaj’s new track, “Only.” If only Minaj, Lil Wayne, Drake Cand Chris Brown hadn’t Only made it so Nicki Minaj damn uncomfeat. Drake, fortable. “I never Chris Brown fucked & Lil Wayne Wayne, I Young Money never fucked Drake,” Minaj spits at the song’s opening. Fast forward to Drake’s verse: “I never fucked Nicki cause she got a man / But when that’s over then I’m first in line.” Fast forward again to Wayne’s verse: “I never fucked Nicki and that’s fucked up.” I’m sorry, what? Young Money is on a downward spiral. Lil Wayne’s new album is M.I.A, Drake’s new single is a flop and Minaj’s album has been pushed back (again) to
“Murder your darlings.” — Arthur Quiller-Couch Variations of this quote have been attributed to numerous writers across time, including Allen Ginsberg, William Faulkner, Stephen King and of course, who else, but Oscar Wilde. So why have so many writers espoused this sentiment? Put simply, it’s damn good advice. First and foremost, it refers to the need to eliminate characters, dialogue and passages that you as the author may love but that don’t advance the story for the reader. I also like to think of it as differentiating between writing and wish fulfillment. No one wants to read about happy things happening to perfect people because there’s no story there. Conf lict is essential for not only an interesting plot but also for meaningful character development. You don’t have to kill off your favorite character or leave them miserable, but stay vigilant against Mary Sues and Marty Stus. “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” — Robert Frost Respect your audience. If a passage isn’t emotionally poignant or thrilling for you as the writer, don’t assume it will be different for the reader. If you think something is important but you don’t know how to frame it interestingly, keep experimenting. Readers will know if you’re just phoning in a scene. And don’t underestimate your audience either. Literary devices, especially symbols and foreshadowing, don’t need to be shoved in the reader’s face. Keep it subtle, but purposeful. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” — Anton Chekhov Let’s be real. This sentence is more poetic and expressive
than anything I have or will ever write. But I’m not even discouraged, because it’s fantastic advice. Writers often talk about the concept of showing, not telling, meaning that rote exposition and summarization can only take you so far. Immersing a reader completely in your story requires giving them relevant, but also descriptive information for them to paint their own version of your world. This is where sensory details and subtle character actions allow you to gently guide a reader through your story rather than drag them through it. “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” — Sylvia Plath A little self-doubt is not only normal, but also a veritable good thing. No one wants you walking around like the Kanye of literature. However, when self-doubt is so strong that it keeps you from creating out of fear of failing, it’s time to reevaluate. NaNoWriMo’s time constraint actually works beneficially here, as a writer doesn’t have time to fuss over the perfection of every word. Remember, you can only edit if you have something written down. “Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.” — William Faulkner I’ve never heard of a writer who was not also a voracious reader. The surest way to improve your writing, besides regular writing, is reading. It’s in the works of others where we establish who we are as writers, when we decide what works for us, what moves us and equally important, what doesn’t. Even if you’re not interested in writing a novel this November, at least read one. It may be just as valuable. So put on a pot of coffee, disable your WiFi and get cracking on that next great American novel. Prosniewski is quoting a bunch of depressive alcoholics. To help her mix it up, e-mail gpros@umich.edu.
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YOUNG MONEY
Dec. 15. Incorporating four powerhouse rappers/Young Money vets on a Dr. Luke-produced track should’ve been gold. Sadly, this is far from the case. The beat borders on elevator music: What the hell, Dr. Luke? With the exception of Nicki’s opener, the verses are increasingly uncomfortable. The highlight of the track is Brown’s hook, mainly because it is completely detached from the content of the verses. Even then, who really
participating, I’ve compiled a few tips on writing from famous authors that I personally think are quite useful.
cares about Chris Brown anymore? Which Young Money genius said, “OK lets write a song about how Nicki hasn’t screwed her coworkers, but how they desperately want to screw her”? It is high time Young Money steps up its game. If the artists continue to release disappointments like this one (or just never release any albums at all), soon they will be Young Bankruptcy. —CHRISTIAN KENNEDY
Right from the off, the trailer for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s (“Biutiful”) next film, “Birdman” hits you. It’s A brazen, bold and you can’t Birdman take your eyes off it. Fox Searchlight Everything — the visuals, dialogues and premise — arrests your attention and you just know that this is going to be a fantastic movie. Michael Keaton (“Need for Speed”) goes a little meta, playing a character famous for playing a superhero in the recent past. Desperate to break away from the shackles that his onscreen alter-ego has held him in, he attempts to make a fresh start by writing, directing and starring in a Broadway play. Is it going to be easy? Hell, no. The trailer does a great job
FOX SEARCHLIGHT
of building up the struggles of a type-cast actor. No one is a friend — Reporters mock him for his reputation as a “washed up comic strip character” and his own daughter tells him he doesn’t matter. To make things worse, he’s locked in an internal conflict with his alter-ego, who seems to be an actual part of the actor as the trailer progresses, accusing him of trying to be something he’s not. The close up shots, the music and the
glimpses of various dramatic moments build up the tension superbly, and the shades of dark humor are a perfect for the somber, yet absurd feel of the film. The trailer is unusually long and viewers may walk away with a better idea of the movie than they should have, but there’s no denying that this is a great trailer. Michael Keaton is back as a superhero — you don’t want to miss this. —MAYANK MATHUR
the b-side
4B — Thursday, October 30, 2014
MICHIGAN HORROR From Page 1B At the request of the sources, all names have been changed. It’s a perfect afternoon, the ideal convergence of early fall sunshine and sweater weather. There’s something unexplainable in the air — a definite, palpable excitement. Halloween night (or, for most college students, the whole stretch of weeks between when the leaves start falling to the early days of November) marks the one time of year when we embrace dark capes, masks and lurid makeup. Dressing up as someone else, costuming our true identities in a Nicki Minaj wig or cat ears, is a universally appealing idea, the closest that actual American society gets to the plot of the “Purge” movies — the one time of year when we can be anything, and anything can happen. But underneath that party store mask, there’s a darker side to Halloween. Besides being the one night a year for consequence-free party fun, Halloween is a night to remember the dead. It’s a night for avoiding ouija boards, jumping at mysterious taps on your ceiling and a whisper coming from the graveyard across the street. It’s a night to put aside skepticism and honor tradition — to heed that unexplainable feeling in the air that might be something powerful and terrifying, feeding off the chilly autumn wind and crackling leaves like the blood of an unsuspecting victim. Halloween is a night for ghost stories. But the following accounts are not just stories. These are the actual experiences of University of Michigan students who have had unexplainable encounters with the supernatural. They have requested to remain anonymous, but though their names have been changed, the mysteries they recounted are 100 percent true. Knocking, knocking at my hotel room door LSA freshman Lily McConnell is an only child. One night, on vacation in South Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. McConnell left their (then) 12-year-old daughter by herself in the hotel room, leaving little Lily with a bunch of cool movies to entertain her in their absence. “I was watching a movie when I heard knocking on the door. I was like, ‘What the heck?,’ so I got up and looked through the peephole,” McConnell said. She tiptoed to the door. Through the peephole, Lily saw nothing but the empty hallway, an expanse of identical closed doors on either side of hers. Lily shut the door, but upon doing so, the knocking immediately resumed. The door rattled from the sheer force of the person knocking at it, and McConnell began to become afraid. She hid behind the bed, hoping the noise would stop before she had to call her parents at the hotel restaurant downstairs. Her prayers were answered when the rattling finally stopped. “And then, like any other scary movie, what does the girl do? She goes and opens the door,” McConnell recounted. Lily went to the door right after the tapping stopped, but again there was no one in the long and empty hallway. No regular human could possibly have run from the McConnells’ door to the end of the hallway in so short a time. She resigned to go back to watching her movie. “A little while later, the knocking started again. But this time, it was more violent and more intense, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is scary. And I called my parents, crying and screaming,’” McConnell said. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell left their dinner in panic as their young daughter sobbed on the phone upstairs. They hurried to find a shortcut to the second floor of the hotel, where Lily was stuck in the room terrified as some stranger beat down her door. The McConnells ran through the restaurant’s kitchen, and the chef pointed them in the direction of a staircase that would lead to their daughter. As they raced to her rescue, Lily’s parents stayed on the line and tried to coax their daughter from her hysteria. “The whole time I’m talking with them on the phone, the knocking is happening and they can hear it through the phone,” McConnell remembered.
Eventually, Lily’s parents made it down the hall and stood at the door where Lily waited, paralyzed with fear but still holding the phone with mom and dad on the line. When they approached the door, the phone fell silent. The knocking had stopped. When her parents came back to the room, the McConnells didn’t hear anything again from the mysterious stranger who’d rapped so intently at the door earlier that night. Today, Lily looks back on that night as an unequivocally supernatural encounter. She affirms that she believed in ghosts before her stay at the hotel, and keeps her faith that beings other than humans exist. As for characterizing the creature that visited her that night, Lily’s experience emulates that of the paradigmatic scary story. “It exemplified my belief in (the supernatural), so that kind of changed my perspective. I was like, ‘I definitely believe in it’ instead of, ‘Eh, there might be.’” Humans have a natural aversion to being alone. Something about the absence of another person’s warmth creates an ideal environment for the demons haunting us to come alive, for voices to leap from our minds and translate into strange noises that we try and convince ourselves we didn’t hear. Many times, the fear is a trick of the mind. But on other occasions, the spirits of the darkness prey when we are most vulnerable. Spirited away LSA sophomore Grace Holden has always believed in ghosts. Well, not exactly ghosts, per se — Holden grew up in a religious family, where she was raised with the belief that intangible, often benevolent spirits share the earth with us humans. Usually, mediums (people with the special gift of being able to decipher the presence of the spirits) and young children are more perceptive than the general population, and are more likely to encounter the supernatural. But sometimes, when the connection of the dead is strong enough, they take the initiative to make themselves known. “It’s common for spirits to use technology or leave little signals or signs just to send positive messages and tell you that they’re OK,” Holden said. When Grace was 16 years old, her grandmother passed away. Nan, as Grace calls her, was also a strong believer in the supernatural. After her death, Grace looked for a sign from her nan, maybe a glass of water moved to the other table or a lucky penny on the ground. Sure enough, the lights started flickering, and Grace knew it was a message from her nan. “I went to the washroom, but I asked one of the guys who worked at the funeral home if they’d been having electricity problems, and he said that it was just that day — that morning — that the lights started flickering. They said that the lights actually started flickering pretty much the same time that they brought my nan in to prepare for the funeral,” Holden said. Echoing in Grace’s head was her mother’s advice not to be afraid to talk to spirits. So she went into the bathroom, asking for another clear sign. “Nan, if this is you, flick the lights twice right now, just so I know it’s you.” The lights flashed on and off twice, quickly but noticeably. She also felt a pressure on her forehead, a reassuring kiss come straight from thin air as Grace stood at the bathroom sink. Grace experienced a rush of conflicting emotion. “I fell down, started crying and all that stuff, but it was a kind of reassurance, a good thing,” Holden said. Since Holden is so open with her beliefs, her friends often confess times they’ve encountered signs or images of the supernatural. She says that most of the stories she’s heard have been similar to her own — benign spirits who don’t mean to haunt their loved ones, but just let them know that they’re still watching. “I believe that there are good spirits and bad spirits, but I believe that the majority of them are good spirits,” Holden said. Holden’s experiences shed light on a powerful misconception about ghosts. Not all spirits are so mean-spirited as popular
lore would suggest, but could also simply be trapped between this world and another and waiting for the closure necessary for them to pass. Any room could be populated by a number of them — evidently, their scope of movement isn’t just limited to the house they died in. The possibility that deceased grandparents, neighbors and friends could be watching at any moment isn’t terrifying as much as it is powerful and haunting. There could very well be shadows lurking invisibly behind us without our ever knowing.
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ARTIST AVANT GARDE IN
The witching hour LSA senior Dan Wyatt has always been a huge fan of horror movies. He’s always been drawn to the dark and unexplainable, getting his fix through watching it onscreen instead of risking peril with a ouija board or a nighttime cemetery trip. Like many young teens, Wyatt’s favorite sleepover activity was to pop in a scary DVD and let his imagination take over. Late one night, 12-year-old Dan and his best friend Omar watched “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” The movie was scary, but nothing Dan hadn’t seen before. It was a typical movie night — until the television screen went black. “Our power was on — the lights were working, everything was still working — but the TV just went out. Just, randomly,” Wyatt said. Dan and Omar grabbed the remote, assuming maybe one of them had sat on it or pressed a button in the dark. The TV stayed mysteriously dark. Dan tried taking pictures with his phone, thinking maybe the photos would expose something he couldn’t see with his eyes alone. There were no mysterious shadows, no orbs or ghostly glow. A few minutes later, the screen flashed back to life, and Dan and Omar finished watching the movie without a hitch. The two boys went to bed around 3 a.m. According to “Emily Rose,” this is the “witching hour,” a time that mocks the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity and when malevolent spirits can wreak havoc. At the exact moment Dan’s digital clock struck three, they heard a loud banging noise from upstairs. “We both heard it, too. It’s not like one of us was going crazy or anything.” The boys went completely quiet, listening for any other outstanding noise. There was only silence — until 3:15. Bam bam bam bam bam bam bam. Dan and Omar heard heavy feet running upstairs. Dan tried to think of an explanation this time, but the logic just didn’t line up. “My mom slept upstairs, but it was running, and loud, and she definitely wasn’t awake then,” Wyatt said. At 3:30, the sound inched closer to the boys in the basement. They heard a loud bang from somewhere downstairs. Dan tried to explain it, whispering to his friend about what the sound could be, but the symmetry of the noises with the clock were too conspicuous to be a coincidence. Fifteen minutes later, the toilet in the basement bathroom flushed. Dan and Omar wonder if it could be Dan’s sister, who also had a room downstairs. But Dan’s sister claimed that she slept through the entire night; she missed all the noise and certainly didn’t flush the toilet at 3:45 a.m. “Nothing happened at 4:00, but it’s just maybe ironic that all this happened at 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45,” Wyatt laughs. Stories like these can’t be easily attributed to an overactive imagination, the sounds they heard sheer coincidence veiled in post-“Emily Rose” terror. Those who actively engage with the paranormal, whether it be through the tradition of religious belief or of enjoying horror movies, are more attuned to the spiritual world around them. People who know what signs to look for — who listen in the night for strange sounds and have a reverence for the echoing unknown — are more often the ones who actually hear something. Yes, Halloween is a time for dressing up and eating cheap candy. But it’s an unequivocal opportunity to become attuned to the vibrant world of spirits, and maybe even connect with the world beyond our own.
COURTESY OF ZEEBRAH
LSA sophomore Maher Hachem raps under the stage name Munch.
By GIANCARLO BUONOMO Senior Arts Editor
All genres of music carry with them a certain persona expected of its musicians. There’s the somber, tormented jazz artist, the hedonistic rock star and the effortlessly cool rapper. The persona feeds the music, and the music feeds the persona — but both avenues can be dangerous. Too much of the first and your music becomes generic and forced. Too much of the second, and you might spend more time tuning an image than an instrument. So for LSA sophomore Maher Hachem, who raps under the stage name Munch, it’s all about keeping things focused on the music. Hachem, like so many aspiring artists, is in that anxious limbo period between making music as a hobby and making music to make a living. However, he claims to not stress out about it. “In the music industry, when you make it, you’re headlining shows, you’re all over the blogs, everyone knows who you are,” Hachem said. “But my main goal is not exactly to make it, but just to get my music out there.” “I’m not making music to make money so that I can buy a huge house and a nice car,” he added. To put it simply, Hachem is a rapper, with an EP under his belt appropriately titled The New Kid. But Hachem is still hungry to experiment. “I consider myself a musician. I would love to get outside the realm of hip-hop into producing, engineering, mixing and mastering, but as of right now yes I do consider myself a rapper,” he
said. Hachem’s love of hip-hop started at a young age and came from an unlikely source. “My mom was actually the one who got me into hip-hop. She would put on ‘All Eyes on Me’ by Tupac while driving and know every single word,” he said. It wasn’t until later that he went beyond just listening to music. “I started making music maybe freshman year of high school. It was just dumb stuff, recorded in my closet using GarageBand,” he said. A big break came the next year when his cousin, having heard and liked his music, took him to a recording studio in Windsor. Hachem, even now, drives back to the same studio every single week to record new material. “Since I’ve been going there for five years, me and my engineer are like best friends now. I’ll stay at his house and record there,” he said. As he records more and listens to more hip-hop (he favors Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus), Hachem is now experienced enough to improvise with producers when he goes to the studio. “I used to write before I went, and then show it to him. Now, we chill, we catch a vibe, we get a beat and we write to the beat on the spot,” Hachem said. These sessions might be chill, but Hachem still has to hustle to get contacts. “The whole thing with the music industry, it’s about networking, man,” he said. “It’s so hard to build a solid relationship solely through
social media.” What Hachem is referring to is the uneasy balance he and many young musicians must find between the easy, yet impersonal nature of social media, and old fashioned meetings over coffee. “I would one hundred percent rather speak with a person face to face and show him my music rather than just send him a link … you get to understand the artist more if you sit down with them,” he said. But because this isn’t always possible, Hachem releases all of his music on SoundCloud, which allows him to both track its popularity and find other rappers and producers. Either way, it seems to be working: Hachem’s music strikes a nice balance between being polished and personal. For example, he recorded a song on his first album titled “Friday Night,” which is both fun and irreverent in and of itself, but particularly relatable to as a college student. “I recorded ‘Friday Night’ on a Friday night,” he said. “I pictured what I would be doing if I wasn’t recording. The average person would enjoy going out on a Friday night.” Of course, as a college student from West Bloomfield, Hachem might not seem to have the “cred” that a successful rapper would seem to need. Will that matter in the future? Maybe. But for now, Hachem makes music because he loves to do it. “Whenever I feel like I’ve taken a long enough hiatus from music, I want to make music, so I’m like ‘I need to go.’ It’s addicting — real addicting.”
EPISODE REVIEW After a grueling five week competition, four of the nation’s most talented fashion designers B showcase their collecProject tions at New Runway York Fashion Week. Season Finale The heat of Lifetime the stress is definitely palpable, as Kini, Amanda, Charkita and Sean race for the winning title. However, Tim Gunn feels the need to recap too much for us, detailing Kini’s harsh critique to rehashing the drama with Charkita. Regardless, the designers remind us how their toil, sacrifice and dedication are easily relatable to viewers. Come runway time, Amanda showcases her “boho chic” style, while Char shows a collection of more street than luxury runway. Kini displays his impeccable pleats and sophisticated denim — aweing us with his ability to recreate his work in only two days, but overwhelming us with an excess of ideas. Finally,
LIFETIME
Sean’s fringe collection demonstrates the cohesiveness the judges asked for, in what Nina Garcia calls the “most editorial” of collections. After the success of the runway, the judges’ critiques proceed to take up the remaining airtime, in simply a reiteration of comments. After three separate rounds of deliberation, viewers are left more bored than excited for the reveal. Is this their way of creating anticipation, or simply building impatience? The ultimate decision is a toss-up between Amanda and Sean, but Sean and his
fringe train emerge as the strongest NYFW collection combined with continuous success throughout the season. Surprisingly though, the celebration of the winner is meant to be a joyous occasion that also commends the other final designers, this finale ends more dismally. The other contestants all burst into a fit of (happy?) tears in a damper to what is supposed to be a happy day. Regardless, Season 13 waves “Auf Wiedersehen!” and hopefully a “see you soon” to next season. —KAREN HUA